Double track success with added importance

JOCKEYS Mark Du Plessis and Ryan Maloney each collected a winning double at the latest Ipswich race meeting.

Jockey Mark Du Plessis reflects on guiding Collision to victory in the Sirromet Maiden Handicap at the Ipswich Racetrack. Picture: Rob Williams

TURF CHAT

JOCKEYS Mark Du Plessis and Ryan Maloney each collected a winning double at the latest Ipswich race meeting.

This moved the pair into contention for top four finishes in the Ipswich Jockeys Premiership race, which has just one week remaining.

Hailing originally from Zimbabwe, Mark Du Plessis completed a winning double in the third of the day aboard Gold Coast trainer John Wilson's Collision.

That followed on from a win in the previous race aboard Hacksaw Ridge for fellow Gold Coast trainer Les Kelly.

This double of wins last Friday moved Du Plessis to 17 for the season, to have him fourth on the ladder and just ahead of Jim Byrne on a placegetter countback.

Collision, ridden by Mark Du Plessis, wins the Sirromet Maiden Handicap at the Ipswich Racetrack. Picture: Rob Williams

Ryan Maloney's double moved him to a clear third position on 20 season wins. He still remains three behind Michael Cahill and 10 adrift of the now retired Jeff Lloyd, who cannot be caught for his second consecutive Ipswich Premiership.

Maloney's winners were Elementae, for the Anderson Heathcote partnership who are seemingly training winners everywhere, and Skins, for the Sunshine Coast stable of David Vandyke.

Vandyke's winner was in the last of the day and has him clear third on 12 wins, one behind Toby Edmonds of the Gold Coast.

They are a long way behind runaway leader Tony Gollan who has his fifth consecutive Ipswich Trainer Premiership in the bag with 28 wins.

Liam's smart double

BRISBANE trainer Liam Birchley collected a winning double with smart maiden wins to two gallopers.

Birchley's winners were Kooky ridden by Matt McGillivray and Potro Duro ridden by Ryan Wiggins. These winners doubled Birchley's winning tally at Ipswich for the season.

Kooky who is a Rothesay gelding, relished the step up to 1700 metres to easily account for the field at his third career start.

In the process Kooky showed significant promise over middle distance journeys.

Grey gelding Potro Duro also won easily raising the question as to why it took until his eighth career start to chalk up win number one.

The four previous career placings along with steward's report of difficulties in running went a way to explaining why it took so long to record such a smart win.

Favourites dominate

WITH two odds on winners and three other favourites saluting last Friday, it was certainly a day for backers of the top picks in the market.

The longest-priced winner for the day was Archer's Treasure at $7 for Toowoomba trainer Michael Nolan and jockey Jason Oliver.

Archer's Treasure helped to put value in the quadrella which paid $127.60 and which included three of the four winners with saddlecloth number two.

Final meeting

FRIDAY is the final Ipswich meeting prior to August 1, and the last for the racing season.

While Tony Gollan and Jeff Lloyd have the trainer and jockey premierships wrapped up, there is some interest in the apprentice title.

It appears that Baylee Nothdurft on 10 wins and three clear will be the champion apprentice at Ipswich for the season.

Behind Baylee is a cluster with Clayton Gallagher and Carly Frater-Hill each on seven season wins, followed one behind by Jed Hodge and Taylor Marshall.

Next meetings

The next Ipswich meeting is on Friday to complete the season. August meetings are scheduled for Wednesday (7th), Friday (16th), Wednesday (21st), and Friday (30th).